Expert Legal Advice on Lasting Power of Attorney

Why Do I Need A Lasting Power Of Attorney?

Losing mental capacity is a nightmare scenario, but also an unavoidable consequence of growing old for many people. It is estimated that a third of those aged over 65 develop dementia, with 850,000 suffering from the disorder in the UK. Mental capacity may be lost if a person develops a dementia condition such as Alzheimer’s disease, suffers a stroke, falls into a coma, or sustains a serious injury in an accident.

A lasting power of attorney (LPA), whereby a person chooses a representative(s) to take over control of their affairs in the event of mental incapacity, therefore represents sensible planning for an unpredictable future, and can end up saving both the client and their family money.

A Lasting Power Of Attorney Can Save Both Time And Money

A Lasting Power Of Attorney Offers Flexibility And Control

Do I Need To Discuss Lasting Power Of Attorney With A Solicitor?

An unfortunate consequence of loss of mental capacity is that a person can be exposed to financial exploitation, and fraudsters are known to target such vulnerable individuals with scams. Furthermore, if a person loses their mental faculties, and does not have an LPA in place, their relatives will need to apply to the Court of Protection to be able to take control of their affairs. This can be a time-consuming, distressing, and costly process.

By setting up an LPA, a person does not suddenly relinquish control of their financial affairs and property, rather they put in place a mechanism whereby a representative, usually a family member, can take control of their affairs either before or when they lose the capacity to make decisions on their own behalf. If and when a person’s mental faculties recover they can then resume control of their affairs. An LPA can include guidance for the ‘attorney’, and also impose restrictions on their powers. More than one person can be appointed as an attorney, and the ‘donor’ can decide whether each one can act on their own (severally), or together (jointly).

There are a number of questions that need to be answered when preparing an LPA document, therefore, and this is the reason why most people choose to consult a solicitor so that their wishes are made crystal clear and legally binding. The Alzheimer’s Society describes an LPA as ‘a powerful and important legal document’ and notes the benefits of seeking advice from a solicitor with experience of preparing them.

Louise Nelson at Bartletts Solicitors has 39 years experience in lasting power of attorney matters, and offers a no obligation consultation by phone or in person. Our firm offers a transparent fixed fee service, so clients know exactly how much they will pay before instructing us. Contact Louise today on 0800 373 894, or via our contact form below.

Why Choose Bartletts Solicitors?

Solid Traditional Values Delivered In A Modern Convenient Manner

Our firm has years of experience in Lasting Power of Attorney matters in the city of Liverpool and across Merseyside.

We offer a no obligation quotation, competitive fixed fees and home visits.

Your lasting power of attorney will be handled from start to finish by Louise Nelson, a solicitor with 39 years experience of helping families in Liverpool with elderly relatives.

Our solicitors are very experienced having worked at the firm for an average of 18 years.

Customer service is very important to us. John Bartlett has been managing the firm for over 50 years and takes customer satisfaction and the very rare complaints we have extremely seriously.

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